International Jazz Festival

When people talk about music festivals in Vancouver, chances are, they’re talking about the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. One of the city’s biggest summer celebrations, the festival takes over the city for 12 days in late June and early July, attracting over 500,000 jazz fans. Big name headliners like Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Erykah Badu, and Buddy Guy share the stage with a line-up of the world’s best jazz, funk, Latin, fusion, and world music artists.

In all, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival brings together 1,800 artists for 300 concerts in 35 venues, indoor and outdoor, around the city. The event is accessible to all, with many free concerts that will see you tapping your toes down at the Vancouver Art Gallery, celebrating at Granville Island on Canada Day, or getting your groove on at David Lam Park over the festival’s closing weekend. For music lovers, this festival will be a highlight of your time in Vancouver.